Stop the development of The Rock and Roll Playhouse, a 21-and-over nightclub in residential Carroll Gardens/Gowanus

Executives from The Rock and Roll Playhouse represent their proposed business as a children’s music education venue. But its approved NYC DOB plans and owner Peter Shapiro's statements show that the heart of this development is a late-hour, 21-and-over nightclub, with veteran security officers from Shapiro’s popular Brooklyn Bowl to contain expected crowds.

Shapiro's specialty is nightclubs -- big nightclubs -- such as his once-famed Wetlands. The Rock and Roll Playhouse is portrayed as a family-friendly business. But the nightclub will be a 21-and-over venue with a ‘no re-entry’ policy and live music seven nights a week. The club will serve alcohol until 1:30am on weeknights and 2am on weekend nights and includes a large outdoor space.

Owner Shapiro has dismissed residents’ valid concerns that his unneeded and badly-located nightclub will bring a sharp increase in street congestion, parking gridlock, litter, vandalism, and late-night noise; his extensive physical alteration of 280 Bond will exacerbate these concerns.

We are pro-development of Gowanus. We are against developers who aren't honest brokers in their dealings with the neighborhood and development that will increase crime, traffic congestion, litter, noise and otherwise diminish the quality of life for its residents.

Please sign our petition to oppose the proposed development of The Rock and Roll Playhouse.

Thank you for your support! Follow the progress of our community organization -- We Are Gowanus (WAG) -- including the latest media coverage and more information at www.wearegowanus.org and on Facebook at We-Are-Gowanus.

Letter to

Community Board 6 Chairperson Daniel Kummer

NY State Senator Velmanette Montgomery

New York State Assemblywoman Joan Millman

and 2 others

New York City Council Member Stephen Levin

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams

I’m writing to ask that you support our community’s effort to encourage only beneficial commercial development along Bond Street and that you stand with us in our opposition to the planned development of The Rock & Roll Playhouse (RRPH) nightclub project at 280 Bond street.

The RRPH is inconsistent with the intent of city zoning regulations and in opposition to the historic residential neighborhood that runs its length. The Rock & Roll Playhouse will provide an un-needed service in a badly planned location, one that is inconsistent with the neighborhood and detrimental the community.

Executives from The Rock and Roll Playhouse represent their proposed business as a children’s music education venue. But its approved NYC DOB plans and owner Peter Shapiro's statements show that the heart of this development is a late-hour, 21-and-over nightclub, with veteran security officers from Shapiro’s popular Brooklyn Bowl to contain expected crowds.

Shapiro's specialty is nightclubs -- big nightclubs -- such as his once-famed Wetlands. The Rock and Roll Playhouse is portrayed as a family-friendly business. But the nightclub will be a 21-and-over venue with a ‘no re-entry’ policy and live music seven nights a week. The club will serve alcohol until 1:30am on weeknights and 2am on weekend nights and includes a large outdoor space.

Owner Shapiro has dismissed residents’ valid concerns that his unneeded and badly-located nightclub will bring a sharp increase in street congestion, parking gridlock, litter, vandalism, and late-night noise; his alteration of 280 Bond will exacerbate these concerns.

We are pro-development of Gowanus; We are against developers who aren't honest brokers in their dealings with the neighborhood and development that will increase crime, traffic congestion, litter, noise and otherwise diminish the quality of life for its residents.

In response to RRPH’s plans for 280 Bond and due to a general concern about the lack of planning being considered for commercial development along the Gowanus Canal, I urge you to join in the fight to stop this proposed business.

Thank you for taking the time to look into my concern and please let me know how we may proceed in altering the project before it takes root.